Swimming – Burlington Emergency & Veterinary Specialistshttps://bevsvt.com
Mon, 12 Mar 2018 19:39:01 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4The Dangers of Blue-Green Algaehttps://bevsvt.com/2015/the-dangers-of-blue-green-algae/
Thu, 23 Jul 2015 22:54:57 +0000http://bevsvt.com/?p=1745It began as an innocent walk in the park: A 9-month-old, 60 lb. German Shepherd mix went out for a stroll with her owner before spending 30 minutes alone in the backyard. When the dog reentered the house, her owner noticed that her eyes were rolling back and that her gait was uncoordinated. She also defecated in the house.

At the critical care facility, things only got worse: the pup was drooling, feverish and began seizing and vomiting. That was when veterinarians discovered the root of her illness: blue-green algae. The owner confirmed that the algae had been present in a backyard pond.

After 18 hours of critical care, including emergency intubation and ventilation for respiratory failure, the dog’s life was saved. She was discharged after three more days in the hospital, and fortunately, she is now back to her normal, happy self. But blue-green algae can form almost anywhere and can be a danger to any unsuspecting pet parent. That’s why the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) wants to keep you informed about this toxic bacterium.

Members of the phylum Cyanobacteria, blue-green algae usually form on or near bodies of water during warm weather months. It is typically found in ponds and lakes, but can also be present in oceans, fresh water, damp soil, backyard fountains and even on rocks. Dogs can develop poisoning when they drink from or swim in contaminated water sources. If consumed, blue-green algae can cause severe neurologic or liver signs. Signs of blue-green algae toxicity include:

Seizures

Panting

Excessive drooling

Respiratory failure

Diarrhea

Disorientation

Vomiting

Liver failure

Death

Prevention is key. Don’t allow your pets to drink from stagnant ponds, lakes or other bodies of water that have bluish-green scum on the surface or around the edges. Blue-green algae cells can also stick to a pet’s fur and be ingested when the animal cleans itself, so think twice before allowing your pet to jump into a body of water.

If you think that your pet is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 immediately!

]]>Meet Abbyhttps://bevsvt.com/2014/meet-abby/
Wed, 30 Jul 2014 13:39:39 +0000http://bevsvt.com/?p=1549Meet Abby. Abby loves to swim and chill out on the dock. Unfortunately, sometimes these two activities can produce the horrid hot spot–those painful, raw, moist, oozing sores your dog can get on their skin. If your pet has ever had one, I’m sure you can relate when I say hot spots are serious. Although more prevalent in the summer months, hot spots can appear any time of the year, on any breed of dog, at any age because most often these wounds are due to some sort of irritant or allergen that causes your dog to itch, such as fleas, food or treats, swimming or environmental pollutants, or matted, ungroomed fur. Once the skin surface has been opened by the scratching and biting, bacteria enters and infection quickly sets in–a small wound can become a huge wound in less than 24 hours. Don’t delay in seeking veterinary medical attention. Miss Abby’s wounds were clipped and cleaned by our staff and she was sent home with topical treatment, antibiotics, and the dreaded E-collar. Abby is on the road to recovery and we wish her the best!

To help prevent hot spots, keep your pet up to date on flea and tick prevention medicine, rinse your pet with a hose and dry thoroughly after a swim, speak with your vet about allergies, regularly check your pet for skin irritations and treat immediately.

Please use extra caution when your dog exits your boat–This week, we have had two separate emergency cases where dogs have jumped from their owner’s boat attempting to land on a dock. In both cases, the dogs missed their landing, hit against the docks and ruptured their bladders. Both “Charlie” the Black Lab and “Wesley” the Mix required surgery to repair their bladders. “Charlie” was discharged on Tuesday and “Wesley” was discharged today!
Keep having water fun, just be careful!!